What Ever Happened To?

As one listens to cries of fury on the part of members of the Republican party over borders, health care, the “imperial presidency of Barack Obama,” or any of the almost daily charges that American freedom is being taken away by “the government,” one is left wondering as to what has happened to this nation? There is such fury, such hate, such anger–and it is directed against fellow Americans who have done nothing that in any way, shape or form violates the United States Constitution. Lincoln suspended freedom of the press during the Civil War, he arrested people who disagreed with him, but no one shouted, “impeachment!” During the Korean War from 1950-1953 very similar voices of hate and anger were unleashed against President Harry Truman. Some Republicans blamed him for the war, and some accused him of being “soft on communism.” Of course, Truman organized the Containment Policy which halted communism,and the Marshall Plan which ended it in western Europe.

The current hatred emanating from Congress has rarely in prior times been so vicious. Something has happened to the American psyche which resulted in such intense hatred by Republicans toward President Obama and the entire Democratic Party. This anger spares no Democrat from charges of disloyalty to America. It is time to pose some questions.

Whatever happened to:

Congressmen playing poker with the President as it weekly occurred during the Reagan presidency?

Congressmen of both parties going out for a drink a the local pub?

Congressmen engaging in a friendly game of softball?

A defeated candidate for the presidency being invited by the president to give him a report on world conditions?

A defeated candidate for the presidency being invited to head up a commission on reform of government as when Harry Truman asked Herbert Hoover to do so?

Yes, what ever happened to the word, COMPROMISE?

Why are Americans so angry and filled with such powerful hate?

I find most frightening the current Republican fight to get rid of President Obama, regardless of the cost to this nation. He IS the president, regardless of mistakes, we ELECTED him. So, show some respect to the choice of voters!